Dea Agent Killer’s Sentence Overturned

In a move that could strain U.S.-Mexico relations ahead of a visit by President Clinton, a tribunal has overturned the sentence of a drug lord convicted of killing U.S. federal agent Enrique Camarena 12 years ago.

Rafael Caro Quintero was convicted in the highly publicized death of Camarena, now considered a drug war martyr among fellow drug agents.

The Mexican Attorney General’s Office said Friday there was no danger Caro Quintero would be freed because he already is serving time for another conviction. The 40-year sentence in the Camarena death was overturned on a technicality, and another one could conceivably be imposed after more court proceedings.

In the unlikely event that Caro Quintero is released from all his Mexican sentences, there is a long-standing, provisional request on file in Mexico for his arrest and extradition to the United States, according to a U.S. Justice Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

U.S. officials in Mexico City and Washington had no comment.